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News
Trial crops of legume
identi昀椀ed the gene that
impaired nitrogen 昀椀xing.
Researchers discover secret in legumes
FOR the 昀椀rst time new research has
discovered a genetic off switch that
shuts down the process in which
legume plants convert atmospheric
nitrogen.
The discovery was made by a team
of international scientists, led by La
Trobe University researchers.
Legumes like beans, peas and lentils are unique among crops for their
ability to interact with soil bacteria to
convert or 昀椀x nitrogen into a usable
form of nutrients.
However, this energy-intensive biological process is reduced when nitrogen is already abundant in the soil
either through natural processes or
the application of synthetic fertiliser.
The latest discovery of the genetic
regulator that turns off nitrogen 昀椀xation when soil nitrate levels are high
allowed scientists to remove the gene
in model legumes, ensuring they continued to 昀椀x nitrogen regardless of the
soil environment.
Increasing the biological ability of for future research that provides new known as Fixation Under Nitrate
legumes to 昀椀x nitrogen could help ways for us to manage our farming (FUN) after screening 150,000 indiincrease crop growth and yield while systems to reduce nitrogen fertiliser vidual legume plants in which genes
also reducing the need for synthetic use, increase farm incomes and reduce had been knocked out to identify how
fertilisers, which contribute to agricul- the impact of nitrogen fertiliser use on plants control the switch from nitroture’s environmental footprint.
the environment,” he said.
gen 昀椀xation to soil nitrogen uptake.
The results of the
FUN, which is a
research, which was
type of gene known
We designed a genetic screen for thousands as a transcription
carried out as part
of the international
factor and controls
of plants in greenhouses to identify the
Enabling Nutrient
levels of other
genes that connect environmental triggers the
genes, was found to
Symbioses in Agriculture project, were
be present in legumes
with biological signals
regardless of whether
published in Nature.
DR JIESHUN LIN
Lead author and La
it was active or inacTrobe University lective, and irrespective
turer Dr Dugald Reid said from an
The project is currently funded of nitrogen levels.
agricultural perspective, continued by Bill and Melinda Gates Agricul“As part of the study, we designed a
nitrogen 昀椀xation could be a bene昀椀- tural Innovations, Gates Ag One, a genetic screen for thousands of plants
cial trait that increases nitrogen avail- non-pro昀椀t organisation that invests in greenhouses to identify the genes
ability, both for the legume and for in breakthrough agricultural research that connect environmental triggers
future crops that rely on the nitrogen to meet the urgent and neglected needs with biological signals,” said Dr Jieleft behind in the soil after legumes of smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan shun Lin, co-author of the paper.
are grown.
Africa and South Asia.
“By increasing the nitrate lev“This helps lay the foundations
The team discovered the regulator els available to the model legume,
‘
we were able to identify those with
impaired nitrogen 昀椀xing regulation
and uncover the FUN mutant.”
The team then used a combination
of biochemistry, gene expression studies and microscopy to 昀椀nd that FUN
forms into long protein 昀椀laments when
it is inactive.
This led to the secondary discovery
that zinc levels play a role in triggering FUN to become active and shut
down nitrogen 昀椀xation.
Researchers found that changing
soil nitrogen alters the levels of zinc
in the plant.
Zinc had not previously been linked
to the regulation of nitrogen 昀椀xation,
but the study found that a change in
zinc levels in turn activates FUN,
which then controls a large number of
genes that shut down nitrogen 昀椀xation.
The researchers are now investigating how common legume crops such
as soybean and cowpea perform when
they lose FUN activity.
New measures on biosecurity and traceability
IN a move to bolster the state’s
biosecurity regulations, the
Tasmanian Government is
rolling out support measures
for the implementation of a
national sheep and goat traceability system.
Set to launch on January 1,
2025, the program is aimed at
equipping farmers and livestock facilities with electronic
identi昀椀cation (eID) technology.
It includes rebates totalling
$2.3 million for the purchase of
eID scanning equipment.
Minister for Primary Industries and Water Jane Howlett
said strong traceability measures would further protect the
agriculture industry.
The funding targets sheep
and goat producers, agricultural
show societies, rural event
organisers, local governments, and mobile veterinarians, facilitating compliance
with the upcoming traceability requirements.
The program also extends
support to facilities like saleyards and abattoirs, which must
install scanning equipment by
the deadline.
Ms Howlett emphasised
the importance of eID tags in
enhancing traceability during
disease outbreaks and ensuring
seamless integration with the
National Livestock Identi昀椀cation System database.
“The new regulations provide a framework that enable
some obligations to be met
through standards. Detailed
requirements on how to identify cattle, sheep, goats, and
pigs will be outlined in a set of
animal identi昀椀cation standards,
which will be given a head of
power under the Regulations.”
Applications for equipment
reimbursement open on July
1, 2024, continuing until June
30, 2025, or until funds are
depleted.
Public consultation is now
open for the draft Biosecurity (Livestock Traceability)
Regulations.
The draft regulations, animal identi昀椀cation standards,
and accompanying information
guide can be viewed at www.
nre.tas.gov.au/ltr
Public consultation is open
until August 7.
TASMANIAN COUNTRY Friday, July 5, 2024 13
